Systems and methods of use of uv-responsive laminates and methods of fabrication thereof

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for UV-responsive laminates including a first layer having a photochromatic pigment arranged as a pigment texture, or one or more photochromatic indicators, or combinations thereof. The photochromatic pigment may be disposed on the laminate during laminate fabrication, prior to installation of the laminate, or in-situ, subsequent to installation. The photochromatic pigment is configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to exposure to an ultraviolet (UV) light source, the first state is invisible to a naked eye under ambient lighting and the second state is visible to the naked eye under ambient lighting. The UV-responsive laminates may further include additional layers, such as a second layer which may be a coupling layer configured to removably couple the laminate to a component. Additional layers, such as a protective layer or a backing layer, may be included in the UV-responsive laminate as well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A laminate, comprising:
 a first layer having a photochromatic pigment, the photochromatic pigment being configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to exposure to an ultraviolet (UV) light source, the first state being invisible to a naked eye under ambient lighting and the second state being visible to the naked eye under ambient lighting; and   a second layer, the second layer being a coupling layer configured to removably couple the laminate to a component.   
     
     
         2 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is formed from a polyvinyl material or a fiberglass material. 
     
     
         3 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is formed from a material that is at least 30% UV transparent within a predetermined wavelength. 
     
     
         4 . The laminate of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined wavelength is from about 200 nanometers (nm) to about 360 nm. 
     
     
         5 . The laminate of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined wavelength is from about 222 nm to about 254 nm. 
     
     
         6 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a material that is non-flammable. 
     
     
         7 . The laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of edges defining a surface area of the laminate. 
     
     
         8 . The laminate of  claim 7 , wherein the first layer includes a plurality of indicators formed from the photochromatic pigment, the plurality of indicators being formed across less than an entirety of the surface area. 
     
     
         9 . The laminate of  claim 7 , wherein the first layer includes a plurality of indicators formed from the photochromatic pigment, the plurality of indicators being formed across an entirety of the surface area. 
     
     
         10 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes a plurality of indicators having at least one of a first color, a first material, or a first pattern that is different than at least one of a second color, a second material, or a second pattern of the first layer. 
     
     
         11 . The laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising the laminate being configured as a plurality of sections, each section of the plurality of sections being separated from an adjacent section of the plurality of sections by a series of perforations. 
     
     
         12 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer includes a plurality of indicators formed from the photochromatic pigment, the plurality of indicators being formed as an ordered array. 
     
     
         13 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer further includes a pigment texture, the pigment texture comprising an embossed pattern, the photochromatic pigment being disposed in the embossed pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer is formed from a polyvinyl material or a fiberglass material. 
     
     
         15 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer includes an adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising a backing layer removably coupled to the second layer. 
     
     
         17 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the second layer does not include an adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the photochromatic pigment includes a first pigment and a second pigment, the first pigment being configured to change from the second state back to the first state after a first predetermined period of time, the second pigment being configured to change from the second state back to the first state after a second predetermined period of time, the first predetermined period of time being less than the second predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         19 . The laminate of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is an outermost layer of the laminate. 
     
     
         20 . The laminate of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer formed on top of the first layer having the photochromatic pigment, the protective layer being an outermost layer of the laminate. 
     
     
         21 . A method of forming a UV-responsive laminate, comprising:
 disposing a photochromatic pigment on a laminate, the photochromatic pigment being configured to change from a first state to a second state in response to exposure to a UV light, the first state being invisible to a naked eye under ambient lighting and the second state being visible to the naked eye under ambient lighting, the laminate being formed from a polyvinyl material.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising, prior to disposing of the photochromatic pigment, removably coupling the laminate to a component, wherein the disposing of the photochromatic pigment is performed in-situ. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the component is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: a polymer, a metal, a composite material, an organic material, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising disposing the photochromatic pigment to form an ordered array of photochromatic indicators.